“Is it ready yet?” Ronin demanded. He glanced nervously between the window and the witch.

“These things take time!” Kali snapped. She was striking the plants in the bowl repeatedly, trying to reduce it to a mash as quickly as she could.

“We might not have time.” Collins ran into the room. Spots on his clothing were still smoking. A few bruises were starting to form and there was a cut in his shoulder turning the fabric of his once white shirt red. “The outer barrier just came down. We need the banishing spell now!”

“Maybe you should have told me that before you summoned a demon!” Kali shouted. She through down the stone and coated her forearms and hands with the paste.

“You said he was your ex!” Ronin snapped, somewhat defensive but mainly fearful.

“We thought that mean he was safe!” Collins added frantically.

“I also said he was a monster! Remember that?!” Kali was writing runes on a mirror with the paste coating her hands as quickly and carefully as possible.

“We thought it was a metaphor!” Ronin stared anxiously out the window. The second ward fell with a flare of orange and a rumble of thunder.

“It wasn’t!” Kali reached for him and yanked out a tuft of hair.

“Hey!” Ronin yelped, grabbing the back of his head.

“I need it.” Kali set the changeling’s hair on fire and blew the ashes over the mirror. Ronin looked dejectedly over at Collins, his terror momentarily forgotten.

“Do I have a bald spot?” He asked moving his hand.

“Not the time for that.” Kali tried to throw her hair over her shoulders and out of the way without breaking pace or getting past on it.

“I don’t see one.” Collins assured Ronin before he grabbed a clip off the table and pulled Kali’s hair out of her face.

“Thanks.” Kali muttered distractedly. She worked on the spell another three minutes. Outside two more wards fell in a flash of purple, green, and blue.

“I’ll see if I can hold him off.” Collins said standing.

“Don’t you dare!” Ronin grabbed the back of Collins’ tattered shirt.

“You’d better not.” Kali agreed, stepping back to survey her work. “He’ll destroy you far to quickly to be worth anything.”

“Kali!” Ronin snapped.

“Besides, I think it’s as good as I can get it on short notice.” She gave the mirror one last critical glance and turned towards them. “The ward on the house is the last one. He should break through it any moment.” She reapplied some of the paste on her hands. “Collins, look in the bottom drawer at the corner of the kitchen. The key is with the pens.” Collins grabbed the key and opened the drawer.

“What is it?” Ronin walked over.

“Don’t touch it, Ronin.” Ronin instantly recoiled. The vehemence in Kali’s voice was the kind she only employed when one of them was about to seriously injure themselves. “Humans only.” Collins warily withdrew a dagger that seemed to glow dimly. “The Athame of the Angels.” Kali explained. “Just in case.” Collins tested the heft of the dagger and found it immediately to his liking.

Ronin wanted to ask what the heck Kali was doing with the Angels’ Athame but at that moment the entire house shuddered. “Places everyone.” Kali stepped in front of the mirror. Collins flipped the dagger in his hand and pulled Ronin behind him. Ronin tried to resist but quickly relented. He didn’t have a weapon that could help against the demon.

The front door crashed open and a rush of wind filled the room, passing the dark winged creature that stood in the doorway. His flaming eyes fell on Kali and a sharp smile graced his face.

“Hello, beautiful.” He greeted her, stepping forward.

“Don’t talk to her.” Ronin tried to move into the creature’s path but Collins lifted an arm to hold him back. The ex-boyfriend from hell flicked his eyes to them.

“Oh, you two.” His lip curled dismissively. “I really should kill you for summoning me, matter of principle and all, but I’m glad to be back and I’d rather not mess up Kali’s kitchen.” The demon smiled fondly. “She can be rather fussy about that. So if you could just leave.” Lightning crackled around him. “That would be wonderful.”

“We aren’t going anywhere.” Collins fell into a ready stance.

The demon sighed. “Fine, if I have to kill you for Kali and I to have some privacy, I will.” He turned towards the boys, considering how to dispose of them without irritating Kali.

“Hey,” The demon’s burning eyes went to Kali. “You’re a lousy kisser.” Kali said. The demon was instantly blinded by rage. (There were very good reasons Kali had dumped and banished the demon, his temper was one of them.) The demon charged the witch. She calmly stepped aside and he ran headlong into the mirror. It rippled as the demon went through it. Kali slammed both hands on the mirror, sealing the portal and leaving handprints on the surface.

The witch, the human, and the changeling were silent for a moment. Then Kali stepped back. “I can’t believe that worked.” She murmured. Then she laughed. “Man, I’m good.” She whirled on the boys. “Don’t think you’re off the hook.” She grabbed a rag and broom and shoved them into the boys’ arms. “You can start by cleaning this mess up.” Kali gestured at the kitchen. “I’m going to bed and it had better be cleaner than when you got here when I get up tomorrow.” Kali left. Once Collins was sure that Kali couldn’t hear them he turned on Ronin.

“That is the last time I let you talk me into involving Kali’s exs in anything.” He said fervently. Ronin nodded, still pale from the close call.

“She has really questionable taste in men.” He replied. Collins smothered his laugh of agreement.

There you have it! A week of stories! I squeaked in right under the wire on this one because I couldn't decide what to type. This was the one closest to done though. I kind of wanted to introduce these characters to you differently, but I suppose a little out of order chronology never hurt anyone too badly.

Comments welcome, I hope you enjoyed this week of blog stories. Who knows, I might keep it up!